Word Origin & History

crest early 14c., from O.Fr. creste "tuft, comb," from L. crista "tuft, plume," perhaps related to word for "hair," but also used for crest of a cock or a helmet, replaced O.E. hris. Crestfallen (1580s) comes from cockfighting.

Example Sentences for crest

The automobile reached the crest of the hill, skidded and started toward the ditch.

A tuft of hair stood up on his crown like the crest on a game-cock.

Iwakura's crest still proclaims the fact, for it consists of two Chinese characters, meaning: 'The highest rank.'

Upon it was tattooed, in gold and purple, the crest of a noble family.

Arriving at the crest, they peered over cautiously, and with muskets cocked.

Every warrior has his crest, which is called his totem, and is painted on his tombstone.

The men were trooping in for the six o'clock supper, when a light waggon swung into sight over the crest of the rise.

At sunset we came up out of the draw to the crest of the ridge.

To take another example, one might instance the crest of Sir William Crookes.

They went then to the crest of Black Cliff to survey the ice in the run.